Student Debt Relief Program
An exclusive member benefit for UFT members
Are you concerned about paying back your student loans?
The weight of student debt can be a heavy burden, and exploring your options and applying for the right programs can be complicated. Luckily, you don’t have to face it alone. The Student Debt Relief Program, an exclusive member benefit brought to you by the UFT, is here to help.
Recent changes to federal loan forgiveness programs may make you eligible for loan forgiveness — even if you weren't eligible before.
If you are a full-time educator working for the Department of Education, you may be eligible for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Certain teacher licenses may also be eligible for the federal Title 1 forgiveness program. These programs may be able to help you reduce your student debt burden.
Navigating your options and applying for the right programs can be complicated. The Student Debt Relief Program can help guide you every step of the way.
Sign up for a free introductory webinar
Want to learn more? The Student Debt Relief Program runs webinars every month to help members tackle their debt.
The webinar will cover the basics of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. It will also cover the U.S. Department of Education's income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, which are designed to make your student loan debt more manageable by giving you a monthly payment based on your income and family size.
Members who attend an information session can then work directly with an independent loan specialist who can answer those types of inquiries.
You can email studentdebtrelief [at] uft [dot] org (studentdebtrelief[at]uft[dot]org) for more information about the program. Please note: This email is not for technical questions about student loans or your eligibility. Please do not send any personal financial information to this email address either.
Upcoming Events
- Student Debt Relief Program Webinar
9:30 am – 11:00 am
- Student Debt Relief Program Webinar
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
- Student Debt Relief Program Webinar
9:30 am – 11:00 am
- Student Debt Relief Program Webinar
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Learn about Title 1 student loan forgiveness
Events
23rd Annual UFT African Heritage Committee Dinner Dance
07:00 pm
Register for the 23rd annual UFT African Heritage Committee Awards Dinner Dance. This special evening brings the community together to celebrate and honor committee awardees while enjoying an atmosphere of culture, connection, and appreciation.
2026 Paraprofessionals Awards Luncheon
07:30 am ~ 02:45 pm
Please join the UFT and your fellow paraprofessionals from across the city at this year’s Paraprofessionals Awards Luncheon. Our premier annual event for paraprofessionals features breakfast, CTLE workshops, a festival with games and prizes, a bag of wellness freebies and a luncheon.
Fix Tier Six Rally in Albany
07:00 am
You may be enjoying your retirement benefits now, but you know how hard we had to fight to fix the pension tiers. Our fellow UFT members who are in Tier 6 now need our help. As it stands, they must work until age 63 to collect an unreduced pension. You can help them by joining us at a Tier 6 rally in Albany with NYSUT on March 8! The rally will be full of performances, activism and union solidarity.
What's New
Student Debt Relief Program
Everything you need to know about the UFT's Student Debt Relief Program and the status of federal student-debt forgiveness.
Landmark settlement in student debt lawsuit
Public servants, including public school educators and nurses, may be on their way to a reduction or elimination of their crushing burden of debt thanks to a landmark settlement announced Oct. 13 between the U.S. Department of Education and the...